Vacuum Palletising and Clamping System VM100, VM300 and Multi-Power Vac
What is...
VacMagic Systems - Two products in one
VM300 - Simple and easy to use & has the ability to switch from pallet changer to vacuum chuck in seconds to reduce set-up time.
VM100 - Primarily designed for grinding non-ferrous material on a magnetic chuck, like its bigger brother, VM300 can be pallet changer and vacuum chuck.
Multi-Power Vac System
Multi-Power Vac - Possibly the most multi-functional vacuum workholding system currently available.
Vacuum Clamping Systems are primariliy used for holding wood, plastics, aluminium and other non-ferrous metals, which require quick and simple machining. Compatible with CNC machines, vacuum clamping is cost-effective, increases productivity and minimises damage to the workpiece. With a range of Vacuum Clamping System sizes available a wide variety of components can be clamped quickly and easily.
General Guidance
Why choose a vacuum system?
Compatible with CNC machines; vacuum clamping is cost-effective, increases productivity and minimizes any clamping damage to the workpiece.
The VacMagic system enables high volume production runs at the same feeds and speed as traditional pallet systems, with less set up time and hence reduces spindle idle time.
The low profile base unit of the VacMagic can be used either as a vacuum pallet or a standard pallet, set up as a fixture plate, for increased productivity. Alternatively a standard vice can be mounted directly onto the VacMagic base for easy loading and unloading, eliminating the need to index the vice on each use, providing quick change over from prototype to production volumes.
Multi-Power Vac has a 400mm x 350mm grid plate base, tapped with M6 threads and a finely textured surface increasing holding force through friction. It offers greater flexibility for multiple workholding solutions.
What is the basic principle of vacuum clamping?
When a vacuum is created, a pressure differential is created between the vacuum clamping plate and the workpiece. The vacuum causes an underpressure beneath the workpiece which effectively presses the workpiece against the clamping plate, thus the workpiece is not sucked but rather pressed against the vacuum table.
The sliding force of the workpiece depends on its surface structure, the pressure differential generated by the vacuum and the workpiece area on which the vacuum acts. The larger the area, the better the holding force.
What is a vacuum?
A vacuum is the state in a space which is free of matter. In practice, we refer to a vacuum when the air pressure in a space is less than that of the atmosphere.
Why does a vacuum generate a holding force?
All objects are subject to atmospheric pressure of approx. 1 bar. When a vacuum is generated some of the air under a workpiece is removed, thus removing part of the pressure load on the workpiece surface.
The net result is a one-sided pressure on the top surface of the workpiece, the strength of this one-sided pressure is dependent upon the size of the vacuum generated - generally this is 0,7 to 0,8 bar. This means that a vacuum of 200mbar (absolute pressure) is generated, and hence the pressure differential acting on the workpieces is 800mbar (approx. 0,8kp/cm). Size of the clamping force is then only dependent on the clamping area.
Formulae to calculate clamping force generated by a vacuum
Force = pressure x area
F (N) = bar x A (m2) x 105
1 bar = 10N/cm2
Typical units of measure:
100 Pa = 1 hPa
1 hPa = 1 mbar
1 mbar = 0,001 bar
Features
What materials can my Vacuum System work with?
The Vacuum System is ideally suited for difficult to hold parts, parts too thin for traditional workholding, as well as soft or brittle materials such as graphite and plastics. It is an ideal alternative to the magnetic chuck for non-magnetic material such as wood or plastic.
